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The Eyrean Grasswren, Amytornis goyderi, was until the late 1970s known only from specimens collected in 1874 at Macumba River, north-west of Lake Eyre, South Australia.


After establishing a base camp in the eastern edge of the Simpson Desert, Walter and Kerry were joined by two local guides and headed west along the border between South Australia and Queensland. After several days the group had not come across any evidence of the birds or even of suitable habitat and it appeared that the trip had failed. The decision was made to return to the main party at Lake Muncoonie. Before departing, one vehicle was dispatched to make a quick inspection of a sand dune visible in the distance, that appeared to be better vegetated than those surrounding it or dunes the group had visited previously. Apparently, a very localised fall of rain had stimulated the growth of vegetation on this single dune. Upon their return, the crew said that there were good stands of sandhill canegrass and some small birds running among these. A return to the dune confirmed the presence of Eyrean Grasswren. Several birds were soon captured and the grasswrens were photographed in the studio.

It is now know that the range of the Eyrean Grasswren is wider than originally thought and the population numbers fluctuate dramatically depending on climatic conditions. Since this rediscovery, several populations have been located and birds are seen reliably as part of natural history tours through the forbidding Simpson Desert.